Moog K8159 Idler Arm on 2040-parts.com

European Car of The Year 2012 to be announced at Geneva

The European Car of the Year 2012 will be revealed at next month's Geneva motor show, drawn from a shortlist of seven cars. In the first stage of voting judges selected their seven favorite cars from a list of 35 candidates that were put on sale in Europe in 2011, with January seeing the declaration of the seven finalists. The second stage of voting will find the European Car of the Year 2012, with the winning car announced on 5 March at the Geneva motor show.

Audi debuts A8 Exclusive Concept special edition

Perhaps feeling the pressure from other luxury automakers and the debut of a number of special edition executive sedans, Audi has announced a limited run of 50 examples of its 6.3-liter 500-hp W12-engined A8L flagship. Dubbed the A8 Audi exclusive concept, the long-wheelbase executive yacht will feature a leather interior from Italian designer furniture maker Poltrona Frau. The A8 Audi exclusive concept will feature aniline leather in the color of Agatha Cognac, which is said to be very soft, and the center sections of the seats will have diamond quilting.

Hyundai offers crate V6s and fours at SEMA

Crate engines are usually high-output, high-displacement, domestic motors from Ford, GM and Chrysler. Hyundai said no mas yesterday at SEMA, introducing its plan to offer the Lambda 3.8-liter V6 and Theta 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder as crate engines for sale. The program begins next month.